Sash balance casing



Feb. 13, 1940. Q L, DAUTRICK 2,190,097

SASH BALANCE CASING Filed Jan. 12, 1958 s sheets-sheet 1 a0 :21 I E O. L. DAUTRICK SASH BALANCE CASING 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 12, 1938 Feb. 13,1940.

Patented Feb. 13, 1940 UNITED A -ES re-C 2390397 f j I sAsn BALANCE Owen I .Dautrick, li ejtr oi t Application January' 1 2, assists-a1 N6. 184,513

.6' claims; (01. eon-52) a r The present invention relates ingeneral to means for balancing window sashes and ;other analogous articles "which requirefto bje"raised and towered, and is moreparticularly concerned with improvements in devices for such purpose of the type wherein the weight of the 'articlefis balanced 'by the action of one or more springsJ It-is a primary object of the present invention to provide an improvedsash balance of the "spring type, which may be used with standard window frames.

A further object is to provide novelenc'losin'g means for concealing a sash balance mechanism of the herein described type, which effectively conceals the device yet enables ready and easy access thereto when necessary. Another object is to provide in a device of the character described, improved means for connecting the balanoing springs with the associated "instrumen talities, whereby improved spring action "and operation may be secured.

A stillfurther object is to provide improved means in connection with windowjambs, where: by pressure may be res'HientlyappIiedagainst the sash stiles to frictionally resist movement :or the sashes fromnormal or adjustedposition, and prevent canting or lateral tilting of "sashes pare ticularly where the sashes are counterbalanced at one side only. 1

It. is also an object to provide improvedmeans for adjusting the spring tension to accommodate the mechanismrior window sashes of 'diiiererit weights.

Although for purposes of illustration the invention is disclosed as being utilized'withwindqw sashes, it will be apparent to those skilled the art that the invention may with equal iacilitybe utilized with other types of closurepanels, such as doors, sliding panels, etc., without departing Figure 2.is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view through the i same, taken daily on line II-II of Fig. 1;

substane Figure 3 is an enlarged transverse rragmen tary sectional view throughthe com artmeutot Fig. 4;

the casing housing the "sash balance mechanism, taken substantiallly'on line of Fig.2;

Figure 5!; :is an "enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the same, taken substantially on line 'T' Q Fiev, nsure 5 is an enlarged vertical fragmentary section atfthefend of the sash balance compartment to show the details of the end supporting bracket,"

Figurefi is a similar view at the opposite end of the sash balance compartmenmtalmn substantaken substantially on line. VV of Figure 7 .is a fragmentary sectional view taken fthfoiigh {one oi thewindow jambs to show the detailsofitheWeather strip and the manner in which it is secured jto fthe jan b, taken substan-f tiallypn line of Fig; 1';

Figurefla is an enlarged fragmentary :in'terrnediatesec'tion'throughjthe sashbalance compartn substantially on lineVIIL-VIII of a fowing ftlremanner iniwhich the tensioning spr ngsfare secured to" the spring rod. As showni'onthe' drawings;

.IAS illu t as" being applied [to a window frame generally "indicated at QIQI, in which 'nd lower sashes f2 and I3 are mounted ng andloweringmovement in the usual heedmeinberm;

'Tlieupp'ermostends onthe side jarn'bs cooper;

ate with the liead member'to-form the ends and top o'f abtixelikecempartment '11 atthetop of the eceiving thejsashbalanc'ing mechanismw ligwillfliereinaftefbedescribedinjdetaili v man a. is closed o'nzits rear side by 1a tran ersely' gtending back member 18, and on fi nrg re 011s 'affragme'ntary detail \riewpartly g p P 36 rative (if, the invention, the invention {is shown Figs. 2, 5 and 6 ,it will be observed the' faee member -l9is' arranged to provide a plaste'r ground'ifior a-plastercoat shown at 20. forward surfa e of. member was roughenedin any' suitabIe'mannerse asto enable the plaste vv'hen "placed thereon, to gripthe surface. -Fci this -piirpose; it is found that spaced longitudinally extending grooves as shown at 2| will work very satisfactorily.

It will be noted that the use of this type of plaster ground, and since jamb compartments are eliminated with my improved spring balance mechanism, it is possible to use a narrow casing instead of the extremely wide casings formerly used.

The sash balancing mechanism for each sash may be of either the single or double type. In the single type, the sash is connected at one side only to'the balancing mechanism. In some cases,

the single arrangement is preferable as it makes a more economical installation. However, my improved balancing mechanism may with equal, facility be incorporated into the double arrange- A ment, wherein a connection between the mechanism and the sash is made at both sidesof the sash.

In the invention as disclosed on the drawings,

both the single and double balance mechanisms are disclosed, a single balance being utilizedin connection with theupper sash, and a double balance being utilized in connection with the low- 'er sash.

.As shown, the double balance arrangement comprises an elongate rod 22 which is provided at its ends with metallic'end caps 23 which are centrally apertured to receive one end of a trunnion pin 24 which is driven through the opening of the cap into the end of the rod 22 and projects outwardly from the cap end to form a pivot for a winding" drum 25 which may be constructed of wood material.

"The rod 22 is removably supported for rotation in end brackets '26 and 21 which are secured as by screws 28 in surface engagement with the respective side'jambs l4 and 5.

Each bracket is provided with a centrally cut out portion 29 which admits of the associated trunnion pin being seated behind a hooked projection 30 by carrying it through an entrance opening 3|. In its supported position in an associatedend bracket, the pin 24 projects outwardly'past the bracketinto a dado -or groove 32 at the upper end of the associated jamb. For additionally supporting, the rod 22 intermediate its ends, an intermediatebrackt 33 is provided, which maybe secured to the fixed head member by means of a suitable'screw 34.

The rod 22 extends through a suitable aperture 35 in the bracket, as shown in Fig. 8. The rod is rotatably supported in the bracket in an open ended sleeve36 which partially surrounds the rod and has one end thereof outwardly deflected to form a radially extending end flange 31. The other end of the sleeve is inwardly deflected to form a radially extending end flange 38 which is'adapted to fit into a groove 39 extending longitudinally of the rod inits surface. This sleeve may be supp rted against endwise movement in the bracket inariy suitable manner.

,Respectively disposed on opposite sides of the intermediate bracket, tension springs 40 and 4| are coiled around the rod. One of these will be aright hand spring and the other a left hand spring. The springs are similarly connected at their ends Withthe winding drums and the rod As shown, forexample, in Figs. 9 and 10, the outermost end of the spring 4| is anchored to a sleeve 42 which surrounds the innermost end of the winding drum 25and is secured thereto as by apin 43 for unitary movement with the drum. Any-.apprsi riatezm ns m y b utilized for curing the spring end to the drum, but one satisfactory method is to provide the sleeve 42 with a projection 44 over which the spring end may be hooked. If desired, the projection may be bent around the spring to hold it against the end of the winding drum.

The other end of the spring is secured to a sleeve 45 which surrounds the rod 22. This sleeve is retained against rotational movement relative to the rod by means of an internal longitudinally extending rib 46 which is adapted to extend into the groove 39. It will thus be evident ,that the sleeve as thus secured will be rotated with the shaft, but is free to move longitudinally;of therod when the associated spring is tensioned.

The winding drums 25 are preferably grooved ;as shown at 41 to facilitate the winding thereon of a flexible tape 48 which is connected at its oneend to the winding drum and at its other to one of the sash stiles.

The end of the tape, which is connected to the sash stile, issecured in a novel manner, as shown in Fig. 6.. The lowermost end of the tape is deflected as shown at 49. The deflected end of the tape is'inserted into a saw cut 50 which is taken across the face of the stile at the point Where it is desired to connect the tape. The deflected end is'. laterallyretained against removal from the saw cut by means of the associated jamb. Moreover, the deflected end 49 is held against endwise movement from the saw cut by means of the parting stop 5| which is disposed between the sashes. It will be noted that the upwardly extending portion of the flexible strip lays along the associated sash and is disposed between the sash and the parting stop.

For simultaneously tensioning the springs 40 and 4| to the same amount, a tensioning pulley 52 is loosely mounted on the rod 22 for rotative movement thereon. This pulley has a depressed surface upon which a winding cord 53 may be wound. .One end of the pulley is provided with clutching teeth 54 which are adapted, when the pulley is slid' along the rod into abutting relation with the sleeve 36, to clutchingly engage the flange'3'l. Upon rotation of the pulley 52 by pulling'upon the tensioning cord 53, the rod 22 will be rotated in the proper direction. to tension the springs, and 4|. These springs may be tensioned just the right amount to counterbalance the ,weight, of the sash which is connected thereto through the tape '48. Rotation of the rod in the opposite direction, which would tend to re- 1ease' .the-tjension on the springs, is prevented by means'of a suitable latching pawl 55 which is swingablymounted on a pivot 56 secured to the intermediate bracket 33. This pawl is held in latching'position by gravity. Should it be desirable at any time to lessen the tension of the springs, this may be easily accomplished by actuatin'g thetensioning pulley in a tensioning di-- rection suiiiciently to enable the pawl to be manually released, whereupon by releasing the pressure onthe tensioning cord 53, will permit the springs to unwind and rotate the shaft until the proper tension remains in the springs, whereupon: the pawl may be released .to again restrain unwinding movement of the rod.

Referring to Fig. 3, it will be noted that the single balance arrangement. operates on the same principle as the double arrangement, except that instead of providing two springs and two winding drums, only one spring and one winding drum is,provided.,--. .In. the single arrangement, instead window!!! sub-head or closure meansymay be supported i of having connecting tapes :securediat opposite sides on the sash, the single tapeis secured at one side :oflthe sash. It will also 'beinoted-that in the caseof the single arrangement, thetensioning pulley may he removed from the. red when it is not being used. w

By utilizing a splined connection between the end of the spring associated with :the rod and the rod, the torsional effect only Gi l-21195813111112 is utilized. Moreover, such a connection prevents thespring coils from ovenlappingand look ing witheach other when 'tension'edrrandsthespring coils will at all times slay smoothly and regularly along the .rod. This arrangement also permits the use of difierent lengths rot ispri-n'gs without having to modify the iother'parts 'of the mechanism. 1.

A novel closurev for the compartment containing the sash balance mechanism -is provided. This closure whichris generally indicated at 511 forms a removable sub-head "which admits-of easy access to the balance mechanism compartment whenever desired. P

This closure consists of. right and-left end blocks '58 and .59 which are-adapted to ant fint'o suitable dados or grooves :60 extending Ihorizontally of the top. ends of the respective :side jambs. 1 I 2 i The end blocks are respectively provided with suitable cut-outs as shown at aBl and \6 2 in Fig. "5,

these cut-outs or notches extending to the inserted 'end edge of the block so as lto enablel the blocks :to be moved endwise .into the associated dado or groove 60 with the tapes 48 passing,

The end blocks may be easily inserted in nor-' mal position or removed as desired. In order to prevent removal of these blocks, there is provided an intermediate section 65 which is likewise provided at its rear edge with a tongue 66 adapted to fit into the groove 63. In order to enable this section to be swung into position by pivoting the same about the tongue 66 in the groove 83, the upper corner of the tongue is slightly rounded as shown at 61. Also in order topermit the forward edge of this section to swing past the lower edge of facing member l9, the forward edge of the section should be rearwardly beveled as shown at 68.

The ends of section 65 are arranged-to abut the ends of the end blocks and form rabbet joints as shownv at 69 and 10, in Fig. 4. The section 65 may be secured at its ends to the respective end blocks by means of suitable screws H at the joints, the heads of these screws being accessible from the outside of the compartment for the balance mechanism. It will be evident that with the intermediate section 65 thus secured in place, a removable sub-head is formed which is securely held against endwise movement as Well as vertical movement, but which may be readily moved at any time it should be so desired.

As shown in Fig. 8, the parting stop at the on :the' intermediatessection 8'5.

. nJInany spring balanced mechanism where the load is constantsand the: power supplied by' 'the .springfis variable, some means are necessary to .T'or this purpose, the present invention contemplates the utilization :of novel weatherstripping as shown at-12 in Fig. 7.] This Weatherstrip is secured to side jambs and :t'orms a resilient lli ning against which the win dow sashes are adapted to "bear partially compressed positions, the window stripping exerts aiconstant pressure :against the sash stiles. This pressure not only prevents rattling of the sashes, .riust seepage ttherearound, wind and weather leakage, .but, also further enablesexpansion contraction of the sash and "frame. 'l\tl'orccyer, since Lthe Weatherstripping covers the widthvofsthe side jamb, the possibility elf-window sticking from paint @is greatly reduced and en ables, movement of the window for the purpose of breaking paint locks aztterthe same "has been painted.

. :JIhe Weatherstripping also is of special advantage when used in connectionwith the single spring arrangement :of balance mechanism,

wherein the mechanism is connected to one "side ot'za :sas'h. resilient window strip prevents I canting or'scockin'g of the sash in the frame andv enables thisttype of balance mechanism to *bc i used with wider windows than would otherwis'e 'adaptedl'dco ;fit into the groove ordinarily used for :receiyingathe :supportcd edge of thepartnrg stop associated withwa sid'e jamb. This groove isrindicated :at 3113. From this groove the margina'laedges ofithe strip-extend *outwardly i-n any desired :cnrvetiso that ithey may resil-ientlyengage themespective :"sashe's act the window durin raising andriewering movements.

While a window strip of one piece construction is adapted ,toextend over the side jamb both forwardly and rearwardly of the parting stop, it is apparent that the forwardly extending and rearwardly extending portions may be formed as separate strips.

The novel feature of my Weatherstrip arrangement is that the Weatherstrip is solely supported in position by the securing means for the parting stops. In the use of the improved strip, it is not necessary to provide additional fastening means. i

From the foregoing description, it will be evident that the present invention provides an improved sash balance mechanism of the spring type which may be utilizedwith standard window frames; which embodies novel enclosing means for the balance mechanism, whereby the mechanism is effectively concealed and yet is so arranged that access to the mechanism may be readily and easily accomplished, when necessary; improved means for connecting the bal- 'ancing springs with the associated parts of the mechanism, whereby novel and'improved spring action may be secured; which utilizes novel means for applying frictional pressure against the sash stiles to maintain the sashes in adnism at only oneside; and which provides improved means for' adjusting. the spring tension to accommodate. the balance mechanismior Window sashes of,diiierent weight. 1

- Itisof course to beunderstood that although I have described inpdetail the preferred embodiment of my invention, the invention is: not to, be thus limited but only insofar as definedbythe scope and spirit of the appended claims.

, 01 claim as myinventionz' t 1. The combination with awindowcasing having a box-like compartment at its top; of a spring balance mechanism disposed in said compartment, a bottomclosure; for said compartment, and an elongate flexible member operatively connected to said mechanism and passing thru an opening in said. closure, said closure'having a section removable independently of the portio of said-closure containing said opening.

I 2. The combination of a window casing having a box-like compartment at itsjtop, abottom closure vior said compartment, a spring balance mechanism in said compartment, and an elongate flexible member having one end operative]; F connected with said mechanism and passing thru said closure to theexterior of the, compartment, saidclosure comprising a.;plurality of connectable and disconnectable sections.

3. The-combination of a window casinghaving a box-like compartment at its top, a bottom closure for said compartment, a spring balance mechanism in-said compartment, and'an elongate flexible member having oneend operatively connected with said mechanism and passing thru said closure to theexterior ofis'aid compartment,

bottom-closure for said compartment comprising ,a pairnof. end sectionsvv removably supported on said casing, and an intermediate section removably connectable at its ends to the end sections and acting to retain the end sections against removal, and a cut out portion in one of the end sections for the passage of said flexible strip. 125. In; combination, a casing having a box-like compartment at its top, a horizontal groove in each end Wall of the compartment at its bottom, removable bottom closure means for said com- 'partment, said means comprising a pair of end sections. and an intermediate section, each end section being. movable endwise into a position :with one edge disposed in one of said grooves, means for removably securing the intermediate section with its ends in abutting relation with the end sections, whereby the end sections are retained against movement from their associated grooves and the closure means as a Whole is supported against vertical movements, spring means in said compartment, and an elongate flexible member connected at one end to said spring means andpassing to the exterior of said compartment thru a slot in one of said end sections.

6. In combination, a casing having a box-like compartment at its top, .a horizontal groove in each end wall of the compartment at its bottom, removable bottom closure means for said compartment, said means comprising a pair of end sections and an intermediate section, each end section being movable endwise into a position with one edge disposed in one of said grooves, means for removably securing the intermediate section with its ends in abutting relation with the end sections, whereby the end sections are retained against movement from their associated grooves and the closure means as a whole is supported against vertical movements, spring means in said compartment, and elongate flexible mem bers connected with said spring means and passing to the exterior of said compartment thru cutouts in said end sections.

OWEN L. DAUTRICK. 

